05/29/2026
Much was written about the Toyota Tacoma iForce Max powertrain when it came out, with people complaining that a turbo 4 cylinder wouldn't last as long, make enough power, or get decent fuel economy. A few years in, and the iForce Max powertrain is one of the most impressive midsize truck engines on the market, with 465 lb/ft of wonderful torque, none of the reliability issues of the Ford powertrains, and perfectly acceptable fuel economy considering the power delivered. The Tacoma's 8 speed automatic transmission exhibits none of the gear hunting of the previous Toyota Tacoma, and the instant torque provided by the iForce Max makes off-road adventures even better and the Toyota Tacoma even more capable. An iForce Max equipped Toyota Tacoma is simply one of the best pickup trucks on the market, and the engine that everyone was nervous about has ended up being one of its greatest strengths. Putting this powertrain in both the 4Runner and the Land Cruiser made perfect sense, and this iForce Max equipped Toyota 4Runner Trailhunter has all of the aforementioned upsides while also delivering an excellent on road ride. Probably the most surprising thing about the new 4Runner (in Trailhunter trim) is its on road behavior: it's actually fun to drive on the pavement thanks to abundant power and superb ride and handling (for an off-road capable SUV). With the Trailhunter, you get the best of all worlds: SUV convenience, more than enough power, and a comfy and controlled ride thanks to the Old Man Emu suspension. While my beloved Toyota Land Cruiser has many of those qualities as well, there's something about the 4Runner Trailhunter that's more badass.